Delta Packaging Ltd., the Belfast-based independent printed folding carton packaging manufacturer, has won a Global Connectivity award at the most recent KFC supplier event, having successfully switched KFC material to Programme for the Endorsement of Forest Certification (PEFC) certified board.

Delta Packaging won the award in recognition of the company’s swift and effective transfer of KFC raw material to the PEFC process, to provide assurances that the KFC packaging materials originate from sustainably managed forests. Using certified materials has enabled KFC to print the PEFC logo onto their packaging since the turn of the year. Delta has acknowledged the help, guidance and assistance that PEFC played in the process, helping to switch KFC material to sustainably sourced packaging.

Delta has also acknowledged the pivotal role played by Stora Enso, who are the main raw material supplier for the KFC product range. Anna Coleman, Account Manager for KFC, commended Stora's ability to source and supply full certified material within a relatively short time frame and the fact that these changes did not have any impact on the continuity of raw material supply.

Commenting on the award recognition, Anna Coleman stated, “Sustainability is an important issue for KFC, so we were keen to support their sustainability goals by suggesting certified packaging to provide their customers with assurances of responsible sourcing.

Anna continued, “We are the main folding carton supplier for the UK market and this sector has been the first to implement PEFC Chain of Custody certification. The Global Connectivity aspect came into it because this is something that the rest of the global markets would like to roll out.”

Anna also acknowledged the key part that the PEFC team had played in the transition process, regarding advice and assistance, and the quick turnaround of approvals for the artwork supplied to them for use on the KFC packaging material carrying the PEFC logo.

Congratulating Delta on their award, Alun Watkins, who heads up PEFC in the UK commented, “We are delighted that Delta has been recognised in this way. A recent PEFC global survey showed that more than 80% of consumers globally, want companies sourcing certified material from sustainably-managed forests to use certification labels. It also showed that labels, such as PEFC’s are the most trusted means of providing consumers with confidence that wood-based products are sustainably-sourced.”

Delta has been a key strategic supplier of packaging to KFC in the UK and Ireland for the past 10 years, and is also a key supporter of KFC’s commitment to the United Nations World Food Programme and the fight against hunger.

Delta also supplies packaging material to other major global brands such as; Kellogg’s, McDonalds, Nestle and United Biscuits.

An expansion of Delta’s production facilities last year included a new 55,000sq.ft facility, housing one of Europe’s most advanced carton manufacturing environments, containing the latest Hi-Definition rotary flexographic CI press, with a reverse functional barrier coating capability (running reel-to-reel).

PEFC is an international non-profit, non-governmental organisation, dedicated to promoting Sustainable Forest Management (SFM) through independent, third-party certification. As an umbrella organisation, it works by endorsing national forest certification systems developed collaboratively by all interested stakeholders and tailored to local priorities and conditions.

PEFC has been working closely with the packaging sector over the past year, helping to explain the benefits of sourcing packaging materials from PEFC-certified sources. There is a growing demand for more environmental information to be displayed on packaging, to help consumers make informed choices, with 54% of consumers trusting environmental labels that are displayed on their packaging. Retailers, brand owners and packaging suppliers can all help meet these customer demands by utilising packaging to display environmental information, and source their materials from renewable, responsibly-managed sustainable sources.

More and more companies are now looking to demonstrate that the fibre they use in the packaging comes from a certified sustainable source, and PEFC has been working hard with stakeholders to spread the message of sustainable forest management, support and promote the expansion of forest certification and grow markets for certified forest products.

This includes organisations such as the Consumer Goods Forum, who have recognised PEFC certified products as providing companies with verification of legality and providing a low risk of controversial sources which contribute to deforestation. The CGF brings together more than 400 retailers, manufacturers, service providers and other stakeholders, with members including global players such as Coca Cola, IBM, Johnson & Johnson, Kellogg’s, L’Oréal, Nestle, Proctor & Gamble, Tesco and Asda-Walmart.